Softball: Titans Sweep Thiel in Comeback Fashion

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

GREENVILLE, Pa. - The Westminster College softball team swept Thiel in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) doubleheader on Wednesday. The Titans won, 8-2, in game one and came back from a 6-0 deficit to win 10-9 in eight innings in game two. Titan senior Kelsey Squelch (Pittsburgh, PA / Perry Traditional) led the offense as she batted a combined .455 (5-for-11) with team-highs of four RBIs and four runs scored, while adding a double and a triple.

In the nightcap, Westminster (18-10, 8-4 PAC) was down 6-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Titans, however, regrouped and scored four runs in the fifth, all with two outs. Squelch scored the first run after an error from Thiel (12-16, 5-7 PAC). Titan senior Katy Balko (New Stanton, PA / Hempfield) brought Westminster within two runs after a 3-RBI-triple to left center field.

After Thiel added three runs in the top of the sixth, bringing the score to 9-4, the Titans scored one run in the fifth and four in the seventh to tie the game at 9-9. In the seventh, Squelch added a triple of her own, scoring freshman Emily Lindsey (Freeport, PA / Freeport) and Balko. Three batters later, senior Lauren Stoczynski (Erie, PA / Harbor Creek) connected on a 2-RBI-single (for her team-leading 21st RBI on the year), scoring senior Erika Pamer (Beaver Falls, PA / Beaver Falls) and Squelch.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Westminster had the bases loaded with one out. Squelch reached on base with a fielder's choice and Balko came in for the game-winning run after a throwing error from Thiel. Westminster junior pitcher Carly Leffakis (Pittsburgh, PA / North Catholic) (2-2) got the win after coming in for relief. Leffakis only gave up three hits in 2.2 shutout-innings. She struck out one batter and walked none.

In game one, Westminster took a 4-0 lead with four runs in the top of the third inning. Squelch batted-in the first run as she scored Lindsey with a single. Pamer singled up the middle scoring freshman Francesca Nardone (Ellwood City, PA / Lincoln). Freshman Shelby Brown (New Castle, PA / Mohawk) added two more runs with a single, scoring Pamer and Squelch. Thiel cut the Titans' lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning, however the Tomcats did not score any more runs in the game. Westminster scored three more runs in the fourth inning and one more in the fifth. Westminster junior pitcher Ashley Smith (Spartansburg, PA / Titusville) (10-4) earned her team-leading 10th win on the season in a complete-game effort. Smith only gave up two runs off six hits, while striking out three batters and walking none.

The Titans will host Grove City tomorrow in a conference doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m.

About Westminster College...Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster is a top-tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 378 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.